Cyclosporin formulation

ABSTRACT

Therapeutical compositions comprising from 0.1 to 20% by weight of a cyclosporin and a vehicle comprising from 1 to 60% by weight of polyethers constituted by, preferably, substances like ethoxy diglycol or polyethylene glycols 300 to 600 and/or substances like preferably dimethyl isosorbide, dimethyl isoidide and dimethyl isomannide, and from 1 to 60% by weight of a mixture of glyceryl monoesters of C 8  -C 22  fatty acids and hexaglyceryl to pentadecaglyceryl monoesters of C 8  -C 22  fatty acids in a ratio of 1:2 to 1:6. The therapeutical compositions preferably additionally comprise further adjuvants like anti-oxidants, preserving agents and stabilizers, flavoring agents, thickening agents and diluents. The compositions for external use preferably additionally comprise lipoaminoacids.

This invention relates to a pharmaceutical formulation comprising a cyclosporin as active ingredient. The invention relates to formulations for internal use and also to topical formulations.

Cyclosporins are immunosuppressive cyclic undecapeptides which are used particularly in relation to organ transplants. Cyclosporins are also used for treatment of autoimmune diseases and inflammatory conditions such as arthritis and rheumatic diseases. Further applications include antiparasitic treatments and cancer therapy. Certain Cyclosporins which are devoid of immunosuppressive activity have been found to exhibit an inhibitory effect towards replication of the HIV-1 virus and these compounds can be employed in therapy for treatment and prevention of AIDS or AIDS related diseases.

A wide variety of cyclosporins has been identified. Cyclosporins are highly hydrophobic and are consequently difficult to formulate in dosage forms providing adequate bioavailability. Solubility of cyclosporins in water typically does not exceed 25 mg/l. The high lipophilicity of cyclosporins is indicated by the value of the partition coefficient P in the system n-octanol/water. For ciclosporin, values of log P=2.08 to 2.99 have been reported.

Dispersion systems characterised by the presence of a hydrophilic phase, a hydrophobic phase and a tensoactive component have been used to afford acceptable bioavailability for cyclosporin formulations. Commercially available compositions for oral administration are available under the trade marks Sandimmun, Sandimmun-Neoral, Consupren, Implanta and Imusporin. These formulations are disclosed in GB-A-2015339, GB-A-2222770, GB-A-2270842 and GB-A-2278780. A modification wherein the hydrophilic phase is omitted and replaced by partial esters of fatty acids with polyols such as propylene glycol, glycerol or sorbitol is disclosed in GB-A-2228198.

DE-A-4322826 discloses a carrier system for drugs which are poorly soluble in water, comprising a composition containing polyglyceryl esters of fatty acids as a co-tenside to non-ionic tensides having HLB higher than 10, in the presence of a triacyl glycerol as the lipophilic component. Use of dimethyl iso-sorbide as a co-tenside is mentioned in GB-A-650721.

Compositions for external treatment of inflammatory skin diseases containing, as accelerators of percutaneous absorption, a combination of N-acyl sarcosine and salts thereof with fatty acid amides prepared as reaction products of aliphatic carboxylic acids with mono- and di-ethanolamides are disclosed in JP-A2-07025784.

It has been surprisingly found that it is possible to prepare cyclosporin formulations having advantages over prior compositions by modification of the lipidic components and omission of ethyoxylated tensides from the formulation. While the solubility of cyclosporin in olive oil or corn oil does not exceed 50 mg/ml, we have discovered that solubility of cyclosporin in glyceryl monoesters is higher by approximately an order of magnitude.

According to the present invention a pharmaceutical composition containing cyclosporin for internal or external use is characterised in comprising from 0.1 to 20% by weight of a cyclosporin (I) and a vehicle comprising:

(i) from 1 to 60% by weight of at least one polyether (II) of a general formula IIa

    R--O--(CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O--).sub.n H                      (IIa)

wherein n is an integer from 2 to 20, R is H or C₁ -C₃ alkyl,

(ii) and/or a compound of general formula IIb ##STR1## wherein R is C₁ -C₃ alkyl; (iii) and from 1 to 60% by weight of a mixture of one or more glyceryl monoesters of C₈ -C₂₂ fatty acids (III) and one or more polyglyceryl esters selected from hexaglyceryl to pentadecaglyceryl monoesters of C₈ -C₂₂ fatty acids (IV) in a ratio of components (III)/(IV) of 1:2 to 1:6.

We have found that mixtures of polar lipids formed by monoesters of fatty acids with glycerol and of pseudolipids formed by monoesters of fatty acids with polyglycerols for example from hexaglycerol to pentadecaglycerol are particularly suitable for formulation of cyclosporin.

Cyclosporins which may be employed comprise one or more of: ciclosporin, [NVa]² -ciclosporin, [MeIle]⁴ ciclosporin, [3'-O-acylMeBmt]¹ -ciclosporin.

The polyether IIa is preferably selected from: ethoxy diglycol or polyethylene glycols 300 to 600.

The compound of formula IIb is preferably selected from dimethyl isoidide, dimethyl isomannide and, more preferably, dimethyl isosorbide.

The compound III is selected from: glyceryl monooctanoate, glyceryl monodecanoate, glyceryl monooleate and glyceryl monolinolate.

The compound IV is selected from polyglyceryl monoesters preferably one or more of: hexaglyceryl monooleate, octaglyceryl monostearate, octaglyceryl monooleate, decaglyceryl monolaurate, decaglyceryl monomyristate, decaglyceryl monostearate and decaglyceryl monooleate.

The compositions may include one or more adjuvants (V) for example antioxidants, preserving agents, stabilizers, flavouring agents, thickening agents and diluents.

Compositions in accordance with this matter which are intended for external use may include lipoaminoacids (VI), obtained by an acylation of aminoacids or of protein hydrolyzates with C₈ -C₂₂ fatty acids. The weight ratio of the compounds (I)/(VI) is preferably 1:1 to 1:3.

The lipoaminoacids (VI) are preferably selected from capryloyl glycine, dicapryloyl cystine, dipalmitoyl hydroxyproline, lysine lauroyl methionate and dioctyldodecyl lauroyl glutamate.

The solvents from the group of polyethers serve to modify the physical characteristics of the formulation, especially in direct contact with the aqueous media of the gastro-intestinal tract or when diluting the concentrate before administration. The pharmacokinetic characteristics of compositions in accordance with the invention indicate reproducible absorption and good bioavailability.

Preferred compositions in accordance with this invention have as the vehicle lipids consisting of monoacyl glycerols wherein the acyl residue is C₈ -C₂₂ and monoacyl glycerols with 6 to 15 glycerol units. Use of C₁₂ -C₂₂ fatty acid monoglycerides is preferred although a proportion of shorter chain eg C₈ -C₁₀ fatty acids may facilitate passage of the active composition through mucosal cells of the gastrointestinal tract into the blood stream. Advantageously, monoacyl glycerols used in the composition of this invention have a monoester content of at least 95%. Suitable products are for example commercial types of glyceryl monooleate (GMO, produced by Grindsted) having the following characteristics:

    ______________________________________                                         fatty acids composition                                                                    DIMODAN ® GMO                                                                            DIMODAN ® GMO 90                                 ______________________________________                                         oleic       min 78%       min 92%                                              linoleic and linolenic                                                                     max 15%       --                                                   linoleic    --            max 6%                                               saturated C.sub.16, C.sub.18, C.sub.20                                                     max 10%       --                                                   saturated C.sub.16, C.sub.18                                                               --            max 2%                                               free fatty acids cont                                                                      max 1.5%      max 0.5%                                             ______________________________________                                    

Similar products produced by Eastman under the trade names Myverol® 18-99 (glyceryl monoleate) or Myverole® 18-92 (glyceryl monolinoleate) with a minimal content of 90% monoesters can also be used.

Further products which are suitable as the polar lipidic component are monesters of polyglycerols of general formula

    HOCH.sub.2 --CHOH--CH.sub.2 --(--O--CH.sub.2 --CHOH--CH.sub.2).sub.N --O--CH.sub.2 --CHOH--CH.sub.2 OH

wherein x=3 to 12.

The polyglycerols are characterised by the following properties:

    ______________________________________                                                 mol weight                                                                              OH groups no                                                                               hydroxyl value                                    ______________________________________                                         hexaglycerol                                                                             462         8          970                                           heptaglycerol                                                                            536         9          941                                           octaglycerol                                                                             610        10          920                                           nonaglycerol                                                                             684        11          903                                           decaglycerol                                                                             758        12          880                                           pentadecaglycerol                                                                        1228       17          846                                           ______________________________________                                    

Esters of polyglycerols with fatty acids are generally prepared either by partial esterification of the polyglycerols with corresponding saturated or unsaturated fatty acids or by transesterification of vegetable oils with polyglycerol. Each individual monoester of polyglycerol is characterised by is saponification number, the polymerisation degree in turn is best indicated by the hydroxyl value. Monoesters of polyglycerols especially suitable for the compositions of the invention are the following:

    ______________________________________                                         hexaglyceryl monooleate                                                                         NIKKOL ® HEXAGLYN 1 - 0                                   octaglyceryl monosteatrate                                                                      SANTONE ® 8-1-S                                           octaglyceryl monoleate                                                                          SANTONE ® 8-1-0                                           decaglyceryl monolaurate                                                                        NIKKOL ® DECAGLYN 1 - L                                   decaglyceryl monomyristate                                                                      NIKKOL ® DECAGLYN 1 - M                                   decaglyceryl monostearate                                                                       NIKKOL ® DECAGLYN 1 - S                                   decaglyceryl monooleate                                                                         NIKKOL ® DECAGLYN 1 - 0                                   ______________________________________                                    

These polyglycerol monoesters are commercialised under the trade mark NIKKOL® by Nikko Chemicals Co Ltd and under the trade mark SANTONE® by Durkee Foods.

The whole group of polyglycerol monesters, useful for the compositions of the invention, is characterised by the following purity tests:

    ______________________________________                                         acid number        max 6                                                       heavy metals content                                                                              max 10 ppm                                                  water content      max 2%                                                      fatty acids Na salts content                                                                      max 2% (as Na stearate)                                     total ash          max 1%                                                      ______________________________________                                    

Preferred compositions may include cyclic ethers obtained by alkoxylation of anhydro derivatives of alcoholic hexoses for example sorbitol, mannitol and iditol. Anhydrisation of sorbitol or of other alcoholic hexoses occurs under catalytic action of concentrated sulphuric acid giving ##STR2##

A subsequent reaction with, for example, methyl chloride gives 2,5-di-O-methyl derivatives, which are useful as solvents for cyclosporin formulations. An especially suitable product is 2,5-dimethyl isosorbide, produced under the trade mark ARLASOLVE® DMI by ICI.

It was surprisingly found in studies of the solubility of ciclosporin in 2,5-dimethyl isosorbide that, dependent on the water content, the solubility of cyclosporin has an anomalous behaviour and reaches a maximal value at a molar fraction of N=0.5. The solubility of ciclosporin slightly decreases with increasing concentration of dimethyl isosorbide and only 324 mg g⁻¹ dissolves in the anhydrous product at 20° C. (see Table 1).

                  TABLE 1                                                          ______________________________________                                         Solubility of ciclosporin in a binary mixture 2,5-dimethyl                     isosorbide (DMI)/water                                                         Concentration of DMI    Solubility of ciclosporin                              Molar fraction, [N]                                                                           Weight/% [mg · g.sup.-1 ]                              ______________________________________                                         0.0            0.0      0.023                                                  0.07           40       1.90                                                   0.13           60       5.60                                                   0.19           70       45.9                                                   0.23           74       87.4                                                   0.25           76       109.3                                                  0.27           78       161.7                                                  0.32           82       288.9                                                  0.39           86       496.3                                                  0.62           94       487.2                                                  0.71           96       471.9                                                  0.84           98       389.9                                                  1.00           100      324.3                                                  ______________________________________                                    

Ciclosporin forms, with 2,5-dimethyl isosorbide, a solvated form which crystallises in the monoclinic spatial group P2₁ with the following lattice parameters: a=15.521 (2)Å, b=20.833 (3)Å, c=12.223 (3)Å,β=100.21 °(1), Z=2 (Husak M, Kratochvil B, Jegorov A, Matha V, Stuchlik M, Andrysek T: The structure of a new cyclosporin A solvated form, Zeitschrift fur Kristallographie, 211, 313-318, 1996).

The improvement of the solubility of ciclosporin in binary systems dimethyl isosorbide-water has a clear advantage when formulating soft gelatine capsules where migration of water from the gelatine layer into the mass of the capsule occurs.

A polyether from the group of general formula II especially preferred for the composition of the invention is ethoxy diglycol, known in the pharmaceutical trade under the trade name TRANSCUTOL® and commercialised by the French firm Gattefosse.

The solubility of cyclosporin in ethoxy diglycol alone is 578.5 mg.g⁻¹ at 20° C. and is influenced in an insubstantial way by a small amount of water. Ciclosporin dissolves in a binary mixture of ethyoxy diglycol with water at a concentration of ethoxy diglycol corresponding to a molar fraction of N=0.5, 216 mg.g⁻¹ at 20° C.

Ethoxy diglycol which is preferred for use in accordance with this invention has the following physical and chemical characteristics:

    ______________________________________                                         density               0.88-0.989                                               refractive index      1.425-1.429                                              boiling point         295-202° C.                                       acid value            max 0.1                                                  peroxide value        max 12.5                                                 water content         max 0.1                                                  heavy metals content  max 10 ppm                                               ______________________________________                                    

Products from the group of polyethers of general formula IIa, also suitable for the compositions of the invention, are liquid to semi-solid polyethylene glycols having an average molecular weight of 200 to 600. These polyethers tend to form supersaturated solutions with cyclosporins, from which non-solvated orthorhombic forms may crystallise. Stabilisation of these polyethylene glycol solutions is enabled by adding a small amount of propylene glycol, as is demonstrated in Table 2.

                  TABLE 2                                                          ______________________________________                                         Solubility of ciclosporin in binary mixture polyethylene                       glycol/propylene glycol                                                        Concentration of PEG 400 Solubility of ciclosporin                             Molar fraction [N]                                                                           weight [%] [mg · g.sup.-1 ]                             ______________________________________                                         0.0           0.0        214.5                                                 0.021         10.0       186.1                                                 0.045         20.0       194.5                                                 0.059         25.0       182.1                                                 0.11          40.0       186.2                                                 0.16          50.0       182.4                                                 0.22          60.0       189.0                                                 0.31          70.0       185.6                                                 0.36          75.0       182.7                                                 0.43          80.0       183.6                                                 0.63          90.0       172.9                                                 1.0           100.0      131.2                                                 ______________________________________                                    

                  TABLE 3                                                          ______________________________________                                         Physical and chemical characteristics of polyethylene glycols                  preferred for use in compositions of the invention                                    hydroxyl                                                                              density   viscosity                                                                               solidification                                       value  [g/cm.sup.3 ]                                                                            [mPa · s]                                                                      point [° C.]                           ______________________________________                                         PEG 200  534-591  1.124     60-70  -50                                         PEG 300  356-394  1.125     85-100 -15--10                                     PEG 400  267-295  1.126     110-125                                                                               4-8                                         PEG 600  178-197  1.126     16-19* 17-22                                       PEG 1000 107-118  1.200     24-29* 35-40                                       ______________________________________                                          *50% aqueous solution                                                    

For the compositions of the invention intended for external application to the skin and mucous membranes the vehicle as described above may be complemented with lipoaminoacids. These function as biovectors allowing passage through the skin and fixing the aminoacids in the upper layers of the epidermis. By their ampiphilic structure lipoaminoacids may be incorporated into the intercellular tissue and may play an important role in cohesion properties of corneocytes, and may thus contribute to the working of the hydroregulation and barrier function of the skin. By means of their bioaffinity to the skin lipoaminoacids may regulate the speed of penetration of the vehicle containing dissolved cyclosporin to the site of effect. The carboxyl functions of the lipoaminoacids are regulators of the desired pH reaction of the skin, thus contributing to the therapeutic effect of the immunomodulating drug.

Especially preferred lipoaminoacids are non-ionic derivatives of an N-acyl glutamic acid and higher fatty alcohols like, eg dioctyldodecyl lauroyl glutamate eg Amiter LGOD (trade mark of Ajinmoto) as a pseudolipidic component compatible with monoesters of glycerol.

Other suitable lipoaminoacids for topical compositions of the invention are, eg, capryloyl glycine, dicapryloyl crystine, dipalmitoyl hydroxyproline, lysine lauroyl methionate, or N-acyl derivatives of aminoacids prepared from protein hydrolyzates like collagen or milk or wheat proteins. These products are commercialised, eg under the trade mark LIPACID® by the French firm Seppic.

This invention is further described by means of example but not in any limitative sense.

EXAMPLE 1

Soft Gelatine Capsules

The following ingredients were used.

    ______________________________________                                         (I)         ciclosporin    10.00 g                                             (IIb)       dimethyl isosorbide                                                                           30.00 g                                             (III)       glyceryl monooleate                                                                           15.00 g                                             (IV)        decaglyceryl monooleate                                                                       44.40 g                                             (V)         tocopherol linoleate                                                                           0.60 g                                             ______________________________________                                    

The ingredients (III), (IV) and (IIb) were mixed at 50° C. To the resulting mixture, (I) and an anti-oxidating additive (V) were added and the mixture was stirred until dissolution under a blanket of an inert gas. The resulting product was filtered and filled into soft gelatine capsules.

    ______________________________________                                         (I)       ciclosporin       10.00 g                                            (IIa)     polyethylene glycol 400                                                                          40.00 g                                            (III)     glyceryl monooleate                                                                              10.00 g                                            (IV)      decaglyceryl monooleate                                                                          30.00 g                                            (V)       propylene glycol   9.40 g                                            (V)       neohesperidine dihydrochalcone                                                                    0.20 g                                            (V)       tocopherol R,R,R-α                                                                          0.40 g                                            ______________________________________                                    

The ingredients (III), (IV) and (IIa) were mixed at 50° C. To the resulting mixture, (I) a mixture of adjuvants (V) was added. The resultant mixture was stirred until dissolution under a blanket of an inert gas. The resulting product was filtered and filled into glass vials.

EXAMPLE 3

Ointment for External Use

An ointment with the following composition was prepared.

    ______________________________________                                         (I)       ciclosporin         3.00 g                                           (IIa)     ethoxy diglycol    12.00 g                                           (III)     glyceryl monolinolate                                                                             62.00 g                                           (IV)      decaglyceryl monolaurate                                                                          16.00 g                                           (VI)      di-octyldodecyl lauroyl glutamate                                                                  5.00 g                                           (VI)      caproyl glycine     2.00 g                                           ______________________________________                                    

Substances (III), (IV), (V), (VI) were melted at 50° C. and mixed together. Substance (I) was dissolved individually in (II) and the resulting solution was homogenized with the melt and filled into suitable containers allowing external application.

The ointment was tested in comparison with a placebo. Albinotic guinea pigs were used for testing. The animals were sensitized at the bases of both ears with 50 μl of 5% dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB) and repeatedly with 2% DNFB dissolved in a 1:1 mixture acetone/olive oil. After 6 days the animals were shaved and epilated on both sides. On the following day, 20 μl of 0.5% dinitrofluorobenzene dissolved in a 1:1 mixture acetone/olive oil was applied to both sides. Immediately after this application, 250 mg of the composition of Example 3 was applied to the right side of the guinea pig and 250 mg of the placebo composition of Example 3 to the left side of the guinea pig. Two control groups of the animals were used in testing the composition.

Negative control: the animals obtained 20 μl of 0.5% dinitrofluorobenzene to both side.

Positive control: the animals were not treated with the tested composition.

Erythemas at 24 and 32 hours after application of the compositions were evaluated.

Scale for evaluating erythema:

4-dark red protruding stain

3-red stain

2-rose coloured stain

1-small spots

0-without any visible change

    ______________________________________                                         Evaluation of erythema:                                                        animals     5% DNFB        2% DNFB                                             number      24 h     32 h      24 h   32 h                                     ______________________________________                                         comp of                                                                               5        *0.2 0.05                                                                               *0.2 0.05                                                                              **0    **0                                    ex 3                                                                           placebo,                                                                              5        1.3 1.03 1.1 0.64                                                                               1.7 0.82                                                                              1.3 1.3                                ex 3                                                                           negat  5        0        0       0.2 0.05                                                                              0.2 0.06                               control                                                                        posit  5        2.49 0.52                                                                               2.1 0.88                                                                               2.2 0.63                                                                              1.5 0.71                               control                                                                        ______________________________________                                          *- p < 0.01                                                                    ** p < 0.001                                                             

The importance was evaluated by student's t-test against the placebo composition.

Evaluation of oedema was obtained by reading the values of skin thickness [mm] one day before application and the values of skin thickness at 8, 24, 32 and 48 h after application.

    ______________________________________                                         number of animals                                                                               8 h     24 h    32 h  48 h                                    (pieces)         [mm]                                                          ______________________________________                                         comp of ex 3                                                                           5            0.11    0.42  0.33  0.24                                  placebo, ex 3                                                                          5            0.35    0.63  0.63  0.49                                  negat control                                                                          5            0.15    0.24  0.17  0.08                                  posit control                                                                          5            0.20    0.44  0.35  0.19                                  ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 4

Hard Gelatine Capsules

The following ingredients were used.

    ______________________________________                                         (I)        [NVa].sup.2 -ciclosporin                                                                       15.00 g                                             (IIb)      dimethyl isosorbide 95%                                                                        35.00 g                                             (III)      glyceryl monocaprinate                                                                          5.00 g                                             (III)      glyceryl monolinolate                                                                          12.00 g                                             (IV)       octaglyceryl monostearate                                                                      32.60 g                                             (V)        tocopherol R,R,R-α                                                                        0.40 g                                             ______________________________________                                    

Substances (IV) and (III) were melted at 50° C., mixed together and an anti-oxidant (V) added. To the resulting mixture a solution of (I) n (IIb) was added, homogenised and the product after filtration was filled into hard gelatine capsules at 50° C.

    ______________________________________                                         (I)       ciclosporin      10.0 g                                              (II)      2,5-dimethyl isosorbide (95%)                                                                   30.0 g                                              (III)     glyceryl monooleate                                                                             20.0 g                                              (IV)      hexaglyceryl monoleate                                                                          40.0 g                                              ______________________________________                                    

The composition was filled into starch capsules CAPILL to give 50 mg cyclosporin in each capsule.

Pharmacokinetic evaluation of the composition and comparison with the commercial product was carried out after administering a single dose of 100 mg of cyclosporin in a two-phase cross-over experiment on 10 Beagle dogs. Male dogs of the age of 12 to 36 months and weighing 9 to 13 kg were fed a standard pelleted diet in the amount of 300 g daily, with water ad libitum.

The composition was administered after starving for 18 hr. Further food was given to the animals after an interval of 10 hr. Blood was taken from the forearm vein in the intervals 0, 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 5 and 8 hr. The blood samples were frozen at -20° C. for storage prior to analysis of the cyclosporin content by liquid chromatography. Pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated by 1 compartment analysis using the programme KIN FIT and are as follows:

    ______________________________________                                         AUC.sub.0-8h AUC.sub.0-∞                                                                        T.sub.1/2E1                                                                            Tmax  Cmax                                      [h · mg · l.sup.-1 ]                                                      [h · mg · l.sup.-1 ]                                                   [h]     [h]   [mg - 1.sup.-1 ]                          ______________________________________                                         comp of                                                                               .O slashed.                                                                           2.474  4.274   4.822 1.953 0.465                                 ex 1   SD     1.022  2.037   1.994 1.505 0.157                                 commerc                                                                               .O slashed.                                                                           2.900  3.687   2.890 1.493 0.735                                 comp   SD     0.534  0.900   1.024 0.812 0.260                                 ______________________________________                                          Explanation of abbreviations:                                                  AUC area under curve                                                           T.sub.1/2E1 elimination halftime                                               Tmax time of attaining maximal concentration                                   Cmax maximal concentration                                                     SD standard deviation                                                          .O slashed. average concentration                                        

EXAMPLE 6

Oral Solution

The following ingredients were used.

    ______________________________________                                         (I)       ciclosporin      10.00 g                                             (IIa)     polyethylene glycol 400                                                                         19.70 g                                             (III)     glyceryl monooleate                                                                             16.10 g                                             (IV)      decaglyceryl monoolaurate                                                                       43.90 g                                             (V)       propylene glycol 10.00 g                                             (V)       hesperidine dihydrochalcone                                                                      0.30 g                                             ______________________________________                                    

Ingredients (III), (IV) and (IIa) were mixed together at 50 ° C. Ciclosporin (I) and both additives (V) were added and the mixture was stirred until dissolution of (II) under an inert gas blanket. The resultant mixture was filtered and filled into glass vials with gas-tight seals.

Pharmacokinetic evaluation of the composition of Example 6 in comparison with the commercial composition CONSUPREN solution was made in 10 Beagle dogs. Males aged two years and of a weight of 13 to 16.5 kg were fed with a standard feed with free access to water. Single administrations of both tested and compared compositions were made after 18 hr starvation. Further feed was given to the animals only after taking blood sample after 12th hour of administration. Blood was taken from the forearm vein in the intervals of 0, 1, 2, 3, 5, 3, 12 and 24 hr. The blood samples were stored at -20° C. prior to analysis using the RIA kit by IMMUNOTECH for ciclosporin and its metabolites.

    __________________________________________________________________________     Individual blood levels (ng/ml) after single administration of 100 mg          ciclosporin                                                                    COMPOSITION OF EXAMPLE 6                                                       time 1 hr                                                                               2 hr                                                                               3 hr                                                                               5 hr                                                                               8 hr                                                                               12 hr                                                                              24 hr                                                                              AUC.sub.0-24                                  __________________________________________________________________________     levels of                                                                           141 883 1423                                                                               997 683 498 189 10659                                         individual                                                                          1648                                                                               1631                                                                               1068                                                                               755 491 329 110 10382                                         subjects                                                                            1244                                                                               1316                                                                               1018                                                                               685 515 391 143 9719                                               1601                                                                               2000                                                                               1564                                                                               1021                                                                               677 498 152 13160                                              1634                                                                               1250                                                                               884 664 454 328 96  10850                                              774 1604                                                                               1388                                                                               830 514 356 116 11779                                              50  1245                                                                               1208                                                                               765 534 384 108 15765                                              1462                                                                               1309                                                                               1046                                                                               656 449 290 85  11588                                              561 945 897 764 768 356 92  10609                                              1444                                                                               1447                                                                               1030                                                                               567 369 267 73  11878                                         mean 1055.9                                                                             1363                                                                               1152.6                                                                             770.4                                                                              545.4                                                                              369.7                                                                              116.4                                                                              11638.7                                       SD   592.12                                                                             313.00                                                                             221.36                                                                             138.23                                                                             118.14                                                                             73.65                                                                              33.52                                                                              1653.13                                       __________________________________________________________________________

    __________________________________________________________________________     REFERENCE COMPOSITION CONSUPREN SOLUTIO                                        time 1 hr                                                                               2 hr                                                                               3 hr                                                                               5 hr                                                                               8 hr                                                                               12 hr                                                                              24 hr                                                                              AUC.sub.0-24                                  __________________________________________________________________________     levels of                                                                           502 972 860 667 454 338 91  9271                                          individual                                                                          125 613 1153                                                                               1377                                                                               1172                                                                               830 300 18452                                         subjects                                                                            470 563 833 899 617 374 123 10420                                              267 964 1144                                                                               1479                                                                               922 559 166 15340                                              379 1028                                                                               898 601 380 244 73  7977                                               221 816 1380                                                                               1372                                                                               640 769 242 16381                                              461 1113                                                                               1440                                                                               863 638 413 137 12251                                              216 743 706 503 278 250 76  6705                                               726 1136                                                                               909 750 558 335 116 10430                                              463 1315                                                                               1263                                                                               678 545 408 140 11379                                         mean 383 926.3                                                                              1058.6                                                                             918.9                                                                              620.4                                                                              452 146.4                                                                              11860.25                                      SD   169.12                                                                             227.96                                                                             238.66                                                                             340.06                                                                             246.62                                                                             193.68                                                                             69.38                                                                              3589.88                                       __________________________________________________________________________      SD  standard deviation                                                         AUC.sub.0-24 area under curve                                             

What is claimed is:
 1. A pharmaceutical composition containing cyclosporin for internal or external use, characterized in comprisingfrom 0.1 to 20% by weight of a cyclosporin (I), and a vehicle comprising:(i) from 1 to 60% by weight of at least one polyether (II) of a general formula IIa

    R-O--(CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O--).sub.n H                       (IIa)

wherein n is an integer from 2 to 20, R is H or C₁ -C₃ alkyl, (ii) and/or a compound of general formula IIb ##STR3## wherein R is C₁ -C₃ alkyl; (iii) and from 1 to 60% by weight of a mixture of one or more glyceryl monoesters of C₈ -C₂₂ fatty acids (III) and one or more polyglyceryl esters selected from hexaglyceryl to pentadecaglyceryl monoesters of C₈ -C₂₂ fatty acids (IV) in a ratio of components (III)/(IV) of 1:2 to 1:6.
 2. A pharmaceutical composition as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the cyclosporin (I) is selected from: cyclosporin, [NVa]² -cyclosporin, [MeIle]⁴ -cyclosporin and [3'-O-acylMeBmt]¹ -cyclosporin.
 3. A pharmaceutical composition as claimed in claim 1 characterized in that the compound of formula IIa is selected from: ethoxy diglycol or polyethylene glycols 300 to
 600. 4. A pharmaceutical composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the compound of formula IIb is selected from: dimethyl isosorbide, dimethyl isoidide and dimethyl isomannide.
 5. A pharmaceutical composition as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the compounds III are selected from: glyceryl monooctanoate, glyceryl monodecanoate, glyceryl monooleate and glyceryl monolinolate.
 6. A pharmaceutical composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the compounds IV are selected from: hexaglyceryl monooleate, octaglyceryl monostearate, octaglyceryl monooleate, decaglyceryl monolaurate, decaglyceryl monomyristate, decaglyceryl monostearate and decaglyceryl monooleate.
 7. A pharmaceutical composition according to claim 1, further comprising one or more adjuvants (V) selected from: anti-oxidants, preserving agents, stabilizers, flavoring agents, thickening agents and diluents.
 8. A pharmaceutical composition for external use as claimed in claim 1, wherein the vehicle includes one or more lipoaminoacids (VI), obtained by an N-acylation of aminoacids or of protein hydrolyzates with C₈ -C₂₂ fatty acids; the weight ratio of the compounds (I)/(VI) being 1:1 to 1:3.
 9. A pharmaceutical composition as claimed in claim 8, characterized in that lipoaminoacids (VI) are selected from: capryloyl glycine, dicapryloyl cystine, dipalmitoyl hydroxyproline, lysine lauroyl methionate and di-octyldodecyl lauroyl glutamate. 